Harwinton to pick Board of Education members via ballot in November

HARWINTON >> An ordinance that would make the election of Board of Education members a ballot decision passed on Tuesday night during a special town meeting.

The ordinance means Board of Education slots must be filled during the November elections, at which time candidate's names will appear on the ballot. This replaces the previous method of selection, which involved voting in members at town meetings.

More than 120 people were present during the meeting Tuesday night, and the majority voted in favor of the ordinance put forth by the Board of Selectmen.

"The entire town is going to vote, not just the group of people in the meeting," First Selectman Michael R. Criss said.

The ordinance was seen as unfavorable by most of the current Board of Education members, including Beth Duffy, who opposed the idea and voiced her opinion during the meeting.

Criss said Board of Education members Joseph Arcuri and Elaine Schiavone also opposed the idea.

Theresa Foley, who was recently elected into the Board of Education, supported the ordinance.

"I actually think it's a good thing because it allows people to be part of the process," Foley said, adding that more people will be able to decide on who gets the position, instead of just the people in a single room.

Criss said the new method of voting in the board members will not affect the board itself, a board which he said is "apolitical." He said that nearby Burlington has chosen Board of Education members in the same fashion for almost 15 years. According to Criss, one of the reasons Duffy felt opposed to the ordinance was precisely because Harwinton did things differently than Burlington.

Duffy was reached for comment via phone but was not immediately available for a response.

"What you want is the best representation of the town representing the board of education; those individuals ultimately control our taxes," Criss said.

A total of nine items were discussed during the meeting, which ended nearly at 10 p.m. In addition to the Board of Education ballot ordinance, a right to farm ordinance and the purchase of a historic piece of land were also discussed.